Technology is at the heart of nearly every operation in every business. In this day and age, it’s difficult to even imagine getting through an entire workday without technology. Companies around the world, just like yours, rely on IT to stay competitive and secure, from managing data to maintaining cybersecurity and ensuring seamless communication between customers and employees. But when it comes to managing the IT that we all have come to rely on, businesses are faced with a crucial decision: Should we build an in-house IT team or outsource IT services to an external provider?

Simplify Your Business Technology with Outsourced IT 

Like many other business decisions, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Outsourcing your IT can offer many advantages over hiring in-house, but some of those conveniences may not be glaringly obvious. To help you make the best decision for your business, we’ll explore the key benefits of outsourcing IT compared to hiring an in-house team.

Benefit #1: Lower IT Costs 

One of the biggest advantages of outsourcing your IT needs is cost savings. A full-time in-house IT team requires a significant financial commitment, including hiring, training, offering competitive salaries and benefits, and providing ongoing training to stay current with ever-evolving technology trends. The current average salary for a Vice President of IT in Michigan is between $136,310 – $190,060– and that’s just one employee! Outsourcing allows businesses to access a team of experienced professionals at a fraction of the cost, paying only for the services they need. Plus, there are no overhead costs related to employee management or equipment, making it a more affordable option for many companies. For small to mid-sized businesses especially, it can be difficult to afford the specialized IT staff needed to manage different IT challenges.

Benefit #2: Access to Expertise and Specialized Skills

When you outsource your IT services, you gain access to a wider range of experts who specialize in different areas, whereas in-house teams are often limited by the skill sets of the employees hired. While they may excel in certain areas, they may lack expertise in others, potentially leading to knowledge gaps. A Global Knowledge Survey states that “more than two-thirds of IT decision-makers report a gap between their team’s skill levels and the knowledge required to achieve organizational objectives.” Outsourcing providers, like Anavon, employ IT professionals with diverse skills who stay updated on the latest technologies and industry best practices. This ensures that your business always has the right person for any technical challenge and provides a higher level of expertise than what many in-house teams can offer.

Benefit #3: More Flexibility

As your business grows, so do its IT needs! Outsourcing allows you to easily scale services up or down depending on the ebbs and flows of your business. If your business experiences seasonal fluctuations, for example, an outsourced IT provider can easily adjust to meet your needs. This allows your business to stay flexible, meet market demands, and save money on staffing. With most companies paying between $4,000 and $20,000 to hire a new employee, not including salary or benefits, this can be a crucial area of savings for your bottom line. 

Benefit #4: More Time to Focus on Core Business Operations

When you outsource your IT services, you and your employees can focus on what you do best—running your business. Managing IT internally can be time-consuming and frustrating, pulling attention away from other core business functions. In-house IT teams can sometimes become overwhelmed with day-to-day tasks such as troubleshooting, software updates, and system maintenance, especially when things go wrong. For most mid to large-sized companies, downtime can cost a company $1,670 per minute per server, which can be incredibly stressful for in-house IT staff to navigate. When you choose to outsource your IT needs, you can focus on growth and customer satisfaction while leaving the technical details to a team of experts.

Benefit #5: Better Security and Compliance

With cyber threats constantly evolving, protecting your business’s data and staying compliant with regulations has never been more critical. While in-house teams can implement security measures, they may lack the experience or resources to keep up with the latest threats and compliance requirements—unlike outsourced teams, whose job it is to stay up-to-date on the latest threats to ensure that your business is protected. They also have the expertise to navigate complex regulatory requirements, keeping your business compliant with industry standards like HIPAA, GDPR, and more.

Benefit #6: 24/7 Support and Monitoring

IT issues can happen anytime, and while there’s no “good time” for them to occur, they seem to pop up when we least expect or want them to. But with 88% of online users stating that they won’t return to a site after a bad experience, it’s never been more important to ensure your tech is reliable. Many in-house IT teams operate only during business hours, leaving your systems (and customers!) vulnerable during nights, weekends, and holidays. Outsourced providers typically offer 24/7 support and monitoring so your business is protected around the clock, with experts available to resolve problems before they escalate. This continuous monitoring ensures that potential threats are identified and addressed in real-time, minimizing downtime and protecting your data.

How to Decide if Managed IT is Right For Your Business

The decision to outsource IT or hire in-house depends on your business’s size, budget, and specific needs. For small to mid-sized businesses, outsourcing IT offers a cost-effective, flexible solution with access to specialized expertise, enhanced security, and 24/7 support. It also frees up valuable resources, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: growing your business.

Consider the following when deciding whether Managed IT is right for your business:

• Do you lack the budget to recruit and hire a full IT staff?
• Would gaps in knowledge and skill related to IT harm your business’ potential?
• Does your business experience ebbs and flows in traffic or revenue throughout the year?
• Will your business be expanding in the upcoming months or years?
• Would losing thousands of dollars associated with technical difficulties hurt your business?
• Are there industry standards that your business must stay in compliance with?
• Is your business at risk for cyber security threats? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, Managed IT Services are an excellent option for your business.

What Managed IT Services Does Anavon Technology Group Offer? 

We’re different from other technology and telecommunications providers because we offer an integrated approach to business technology instead of a single service. Our product and service offerings are constantly expanding—as new technologies emerge, we’ll be your partners on the cutting edge. We are committed to understanding, testing, and implementing new solutions to provide the right options to our clients.

We offer:

• Remote Maintenance and Monitoring (RMM), such as:
  • Inventory Management
  • Real-Time Monitoring and Notification
  • Patch Management
  • Application Installation and Update
  • Device Optimization
  • Scheduled Maintenance
  • Automated Recovery and Response
  • Advanced IT Technician Tools
  • Scheduled Reports
• Managed Antivirus
• Ransomware Protection
• Managed Back-Up

Anavon is based on service and support, and we’ve built a team that cares about our customers and is responsive to their needs. We serve small, mid-size, large, and enterprise-level businesses in a variety of industries, including hospitality, hotels, and tourism; commercial development and real estate; municipal governments; and professional services such as accounting, engineering, legal, bookkeeping, financial services, and more.

Why Choose Anavon Technology Group?

Anavon Technology Group is Northern Michigan’s single-source solution for business technology. Today, Anavon has grown to support the tech needs of over 2,000 organizations. Our 25 years in business have proven that our business model is strong, competitive, and meets our customers’ needs—even as technology evolves.

You can’t rely on a technology partner from across the country or the world. Anavon is located in Traverse City, MI, and understands the needs of Northern Michigan businesses. We treat your business as an extension of ours. If you experience an issue, we will have a technician on-site to fix it within 4 hours, guaranteed. Plus, we don’t hold our customers back from constraining long-term contracts. Instead, our cost-effective option means you pay for what you need when you need it. 

We stand behind our products and services wholeheartedly. Our business solutions are backed by 24/7 support, our tech repairs come with a 90-day warranty, and transparent pricing is our standard. We’re proud to employ real people in our community. When you call Anavon, a real person will pick up within 3 rings, no matter what, so you can say goodbye to 800 numbers and virtual receptionists. 

Partner with Us For Your IT Needs Today 

We are committed to providing comprehensive IT services tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re looking to outsource your entire IT operation or supplement your in-house team with expert support, we have the experience and expertise to help your business thrive. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your IT goals.